Donald Hanson

Donald Hanson

It is with immense sadness that The Black Dyke Band has learned of the passing of their former President and the Founder Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Donald Hanson.

Donald was a proud Yorkshire brass band enthusiast who, in his role as Chairman of the Bradford and Bingley Building Society stepped forward to take responsibility for the band as the John Foster and Son textile business was closing, and the band’s future was in grave doubt.

He went on to assemble and lead a group of like-minded friends to continue to support the band when the Bradford and Bingley sponsorship came to an end.

David Allen, Chairman of Trustees, commented, “Donald’s contribution to the history of the band is unsurpassed. His remarkable generosity, and warmth of personality will be sorely missed by all in the Black Dyke Band family, and his legacy lives on in the Donald Hanson Bandroom and The Black Dyke Band of 2018.”

Nicholas Childs, Musical Director, added, “Donald had wonderful business acumen but his heart was full of kindness and music. There was no doubt that his favourite band was Black Dyke.

Donald was the first President and founder of the Board of Trustees, and many consider that without his actions to purchase the bandroom in the mid 1990’s, it would be difficult to imagine how the band would have survived in his beloved Queensbury”

There will be a private family funeral, and plans are underway for a Memorial Service in March.